Policy: Specification of program requirements
Purpose
To promulgate the understanding of Orders as legislative instruments, and represent them as unadorned and factual, rules based and official in nature, and prescriptive to exclude nuance from the interpretation of Orders.
Overview
This policy provides definition on what is required in Program Orders and templates that are to be used.
Scope
This policy applies across all coursework programs.
Policy statement
- A program requirement is an Order of the University and is written in a format appropriate for a legislative instrument.
- All coursework Awards have program requirements published in the Handbook (https://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au).
- Program requirements govern a program’s completion. Requirements refer to only prescribed and standard elements.
- Program requirements are not used to explain choices and are not open to ambiguity or interpretation. Exceptional options requiring permission or other such variations are not included.
- Program requirements are self-contained and:
- do not reference external materials including other programs;
- do not advise of the need to seek further advice from University staff or other sources;
- do not require enrolment in additional, non-specified courses in order to complete compulsory courses.
- The language used is plain, concise and formal.
- Requirements are expressed in the terms of a unit value. Requirements are not expressed in number of courses, semesters of study etc.
- The primary requirement is the total number of units needed for completion of the program. All other requirements are expressed as a subset of this.
- All unit values are expressed as an exact number or as a minimum/maximum.
- Referencing broad grouping of courses is done by catalogue number; 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000, 7000, 8000, or 9000-level. References to ‘first year’, ‘second year’, ‘third year’, ‘later year’, ‘fourth year honours’ are not used as study patterns and intensities differ.
- Requirements for undergraduate coursework do not refer to organisational units other than ANU.
- Requirements for graduate coursework do not refer to organisational units other than ANU.
- Program requirements utilise the templates provided in Table 1: Program Orders Requirements.
- Subject Areas using course alpha codes are used only where a review of all courses with the relevant alpha code has confirmed they are appropriate for the relevant program and consideration of similar courses assigned to other alpha codes is demonstrated.
- Program requirements that do not use this policy including Table 1: Program Orders Requirements require endorsement of the Registrar.
- This policy adheres to the definitions of compulsory and elective courses as laid out in the policy: Glossary – student policies and procedures.
Table 1: Program Requirements
Global requirements | This requirement must be used where there are global unit values required. Global unit values apply across all other requirements. Requirements for majors, minors and specialisations must be self-contained and consist of both Global requirements and Principal requirements, and must not contain Progression requirements. The Major and Minor subplans are undergraduate only. Subject Areas using course alpha codes are used only where a review of all courses with the relevant alpha code has confirmed they are appropriate for the relevant program and consideration of similar courses assigned to other alpha codes is demonstrated. | The Award name [with Augmentation name] or Subplan name requires the completion of XXX units, of which: List global unit values by level or Subject Area here The XXX units must consist of: List Principal requirements here Example: The Master of Economic History requires the completion of 96 units, of which: A minimum of 60 units must come from completion of 8000-level courses The 96 units must consist of: |
This requirement must be used where there are no global unit values required. Requirements for majors, minors and specialisations must be self-contained and consist of both Global requirements and Principal requirements, and must not contain Progression requirements. The Major and Minor sub plans are undergraduate only. | The Award name or Subplan name requires the completion of XXX units, which must consist of: List Principal requirements here Example: The Bachelor of Mathematical Science requires the completion of 144 units, which must consist of: 24 units from completion of the following compulsory courses: MATH1115 Mathematics and Applications 1 Honours MATH1116 Mathematics and Applications 2 Honours MATH2405 Maths Methods 1 Honours: Ordinary Differential Equations and Advanced Vector Calculus MATH2406 Maths Methods 2 Honours: Partial Differential Equations, Fourier Analysis and Complex Analysis | |
Global unit values required by level | The word “may” must be used for maximum values and “must” must be used for minimum and exact values. The word “and” must be used to indicate that the limit applies to the sum of units where more than one level is listed. | [A maximum of / A minimum of] XX units [may / must] come from completion of XXXX-level [and YYYY-level] courses Examples: A maximum of 60 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses A minimum of 24 units must come from completion of 2000- and 3000-level courses |
Global unit values required by College | This requirement must refer to the host College only. This requirement must be expressed as a minimum value only. | Applies to postgraduate programs only. A minimum of XX units must come from completion of courses offered by the ANU College of XXXXXXXXXX Example: A minimum of 96 units must come from completion of courses offered by the ANU College of Business and Economics |
Principal requirements | Use where there is exactly one compulsory course. | XX units from completion of ABCD2001 Course Title Example: 6 units from completion of ANTH8019 Practical Studies in Social Analysis |
Use where all courses listed must be completed. The number of units required must be equal to sum of units from all listed courses. Where there is more than one compulsory course, all compulsory courses must be listed together, except to give effect to a progression requirement (see ‘Split requirements’ below). Prerequisite / Corequisite courses of compulsory courses must also be compulsory. Courses incompatible with compulsory courses must not also be listed in the Orders Do not give the list a description. Do not give alternatives to compulsory courses, eg: XXXX2001 YYYY4002 ZZZZ6003 or ZZZZ8004 | XX units from completion of the following compulsory courses: XXXX2001 Course Title YYYY4002 Course Title ZZZZ6003 Course Title Example: 24 units from completion of the following compulsory courses: MATH1115 Mathematics and Applications 1 Honours MATH1116 Mathematics and Applications 2 Honours MATH2405 Maths Methods 1 Honours: Ordinary Differential Equations and Advanced Vector Calculus MATH2406 Maths Methods 2 Honours: Partial Differential Equations, Fourier Analysis and Complex Analysis | |
The total units available from completion of courses in the listed subject areas must be greater than total units required. Sufficient prerequisites and corequisites to meet these requirements must be available in the Principal requirements of the plan for students to complete without needing to undertake additional courses. Subject Areas using course alpha codes are used only where a review of all courses with the relevant alpha code has confirmed they are appropriate for the relevant program and consideration of similar courses assigned to other alpha codes is demonstrated. | [A minimum of / A maximum of] XX units from completion of courses from the following subject areas: XXXX Subject Area X YYYY Subject Area Y ZZZZ Subject Area Z Example: A minimum of 24 units from completion of courses from the following subject areas: COMP Computer Science ENGN Engineering MATH Mathematics | |
Use where there is exactly one Subject Area. The total units available from completion of courses in the listed subject area must be greater than total units required. Sufficient prerequisites and corequisites to meet these requirements must be available in the Principal requirements of the plan for students to complete without needing to undertake additional courses. Subject Areas using course alpha codes are used only where a review of all courses with the relevant alpha code has confirmed they are appropriate for the relevant program and consideration of similar courses assigned to other alpha codes is demonstrated. | [A minimum of / A maximum of] XX units from completion of courses from the subject area XXXX Subject Area X Example: A maximum of 12 units from completion of courses from the subject area LAWS Law | |
A list description must be used. Where a list description is used, it must be used to identify a content topic or pedagogical function, eg “Regolith geology” or “Project courses”. The words “compulsory”, “core”, “elective”, “component”, and “advanced” must not be used in the list description. The total of units available from listed courses must be greater than the number of units required. Sufficient prerequisites and corequisites to meet these requirements must be available in the Principal requirements of the plan for students to complete without needing to undertake additional courses. | A minimum of XX units from completion of [description] courses from the following list: XXXX2001 Course Title YYYY4002 Course Title ZZZZ6003 Course Title Example: A minimum of 6 units from completion of genetics courses from the following list: BIOL3157 Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics BIOL3159 Analysis Tools for Population Genetics BIOL3161 Genomics and its Applications BIOL3204 Human Genetics Counterexample: A maximum of 12 units from completion of elective courses from the following list: ANTH8042 Migration, Refugees and Development ANTH8056 Introduction to Humanitarian Action LAWS8252 International Refugee Law STST8021 Intelligence and Security STST8027 Insurgency & Counterinsurgency in an Age of Terror | |
Multiple lists may be used as part of a single requirement List descriptions must be used to identify a content topic or pedagogical function, eg “Regolith geology” or “Project courses”. The words “compulsory”, “core”, “elective”, “component”, and “advanced” must not be used in the list descriptions. | XX units from completion of courses from [one / N / any] of the following lists: List A description XXXX2001 Course Title XXXX6003 Course Title List B description YYYY2001 Course Title YYYY6003 Course Title Example: 6 units from completion of courses from one of the following lists: Accounting BUSN2011 Management Accounting BUSN2015 Company Accounting Investment FINM2003 Investments FINM3008 Applied Portfolio Construction | |
Use where a course may/must be completed more than once. | [A minimum of / A maximum of] XX units from completion of ABCD1234 Course Title, which [may/must] be completed more than once[, in a different Topic each in instance][, in consecutive semesters] Example: 24 units from completion of MEDI8206 Public Health Research Project, which must be completed more than once, in consecutive semesters | |
Use where there is exactly one compulsory major. | Undergraduate only 48 units from completion of the Major A major Example: 48 units from completion of the Chemistry major | |
Use where there is exactly one compulsory minor. | Undergraduate only 24 units from completion of the Minor A minor Example: 24 units from completion of the International Relations minor | |
Use where there is exactly one compulsory specialisation. | Undergraduate only 24 units from completion of the Specialisation A specialisation Example: 24 units from completion of the Advanced Chemistry Specialisation | |
A list description must be used. The words “compulsory”, “core”, “elective”, “component”, and “advanced” must not be used in the list description. | Undergraduate only 48 units from completion of one of the following [description] majors: Major A Major B Major C Example: 48 units from completion of one of the following workshop majors: Ceramics Furniture Gold and Silver Smithing Textiles Example: 48 units from completion of one of the following core majors: Ceramics Furniture Gold and Silver Smithing Textiles | |
A list description must be used. The words “compulsory”, “core”, “elective”, “component”, and “advanced” must not be used in the list description. | 24 units from completion of one of the following [description] minors: Minor A Minor B Minor C Example: 24 units from completion of one of the following policy minors: Climate Science and Policy Environmental Policy Forest Science and Policy | |
A list description must be used. The words ““compulsory”, “core”, “elective”, “component”, and “advanced” must not be used in the list description. | 24 units from completion of one of the following [description] specialisations: Specialisation A Specialisation B Specialisation C Example: 24 units from completion of one of the following specialisations: Advanced Mathematics Advanced Physics Astronomy and Astrophysics | |
By default, units from completion of courses must be used to satisfy exactly one Principal Requirement. Provisions for double counting must be explicitly specified. | Principal Requirement or Global Unit Value here, which may contribute to meeting any other requirements Principal Requirement or Global Unit Value here, which may contribute to meeting the [description] course requirement above Example: 12 units from completion of courses from the subject area BIOL Biology A minimum of 6 units from completion of genetics courses from the following list, which may contribute to meeting the BIOL Biology course requirement above: BIOL3157 Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics BIOL3159 Analysis Tools for Population Genetics BIOL3161 Genomics and its Applications BIOL3204 Human Genetics | |
Double counting | Where students may freely elect between two sets of Principal requirements of different kinds, the words “Either” and “Or” must be used as specified over. To avoid ambiguity, no other words must be used. | Either: Principal Requirement A Principal Requirement B Or: Principal Requirement C Not Either: Principal Requirement A and: Principal Requirement B or: Principal Requirement C Example: Either: 48 units from completion of the Latin Major Or: 24 units from completion of the Latin minor 24 units from completion of courses from the subject area ANCH Ancient History |
Split requirements | Use for progression requirements before research components. Masters and embedded Honours Degrees only. Not available in Masters Degrees that may be in a flexible vertical double degree. | XX units from completion of the following coursework component: List Principal requirements here XX units from completion of the following research component: List Principal requirements here Students must achieve a minimum XX% weighted average mark in the coursework component to continue to the research component. Example: 72 units from completion of the following coursework component: 72 units from completion of the following compulsory courses: […] 24 units from completion of the following research component: 24 units from completion of ENGN8180 Master Thesis Project, which must be completed more than once, in consecutive semesters Students must achieve a minimum 75% weighted average mark in the coursework component to continue to the research component. |
Progression requirements | Use for progression requirements effective after a specified point. Not available in Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma. Not available in Masters Degrees that may be in a flexible vertical double degree. | Students must achieve a minimum XX% weighted average mark in the first ZZ units of courses attempted in order to remain enrolled in the Award name. If the total number of units attempted exceeds ZZ in the same teaching period in which the ZZth unit is attempted, exactly ZZ units will be used in the calculation of the weighted average mark with units from the course with the highest mark applied first followed by further units from courses in descending order of marks. Example: Students must achieve a minimum 65% weighted average mark in the first 24 units of courses attempted in order to remain enrolled in the Master of Arts. If the total number of units attempted exceeds 24 in the same teaching period in which the 24th unit is attempted, exactly 24 units will be used in the calculation of the weighted average mark with units from the course with the highest mark applied first followed by further units from courses in descending order of marks. |
Use where students must maintain a specified level of academic performance. A clearly-defined subset of courses within the program may be specified as the object of the calculation. Do not use GPA since it is based on academic career. Not available in Graduate Certificate of Graduate Diploma. | Students must achieve a minimum XX% weighted average mark in each period (Summer/First Semester/Autumn and Winter/Second Semester/Spring) in order to continue in the Award name. Example: Students must achieve a minimum 80% weighted average mark in each period (Summer/First Semester/Autumn and Winter/Second Semester/Spring) in order to continue in the PhB. | |
Progression destination requirements | Use where students who do not meet progression requirements are transferred to a specific destination Award. | Students who do not achieve a minimum of XX% weighted average mark will be transferred to the Award name. Example: Students who do not achieve a minimum of 80% weighted average mark will be transferred to the Bachelor of Arts. |
Undergraduate specialisation co-requisite | Undergraduate specialisations must be undertaken in conjunction with one or more majors. | This specialisation must be taken in conjunction with the co-requisite name major Example: This specialisation must be taken in conjunction with the International Relations major |
This specialisation must be taken in conjunction with a major from the following list: Major A Major B Major C Example: This specialisation must be taken in conjunction with a major from the following list: Biology Chemistry | ||
Electives | Use only where students’ choice of courses is restricted only by ‘Global requirements’. These are the only lists of courses which may be identified as electives (see Principal requirements) | XX units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU Example: 48 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU |
Information |
Printable version (PDF) |
Title | Specification of program requirements |
Document Type | Policy |
Document Number | ANUP_006803 |
Version | 21 |
Purpose | To define requirements for Program Orders and use of relevant templates. |
Audience | Staff |
Category | Academic |
Topic/ SubTopic | Teaching & Learning |
Effective Date | 4 Jul 2019 |
Review Date | 4 Jul 2022 |
Responsible Officer: | Registrar, Student Administration |
Approved By: | Vice-Chancellor |
Contact Area | Division of Student Administration and Academic Services |
Authority |
Coursework Awards Rule 2016 (No. 2) Coursework Handbook Rules 2013 Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2015 |
Delegations | 30, 32 |